Eamonn Holmes health battles - from spinal surgery to needing a mobility scooter
Eamonn Holmes has spoken bravely about his debilitating health issues, including being needing to use a mobility scooter.
The veteran presenter, 63, who has fronted a whole host of shows, including This Morning and GB News, is one of the most well-known faces on TV. However, behind the scenes, the father-of-four has been suffering "chronic pain", which resulted in him needing spinal surgery last year.
Despite his multiple surgeries, which started in 2016 when he had a double hip replacement, Eamonn is showing no signs of giving up the job he loves as he pops up on Blankety Blank this evening. So, as we wait to tune into the BBC celebrity-packed show, here's what we know about the much-loved presenter's health.
GB News host, Eamonn Holmes, has spoken candidly about his health issues, which left him unable to sleep following years of chronic pain (Getty Images)
The father-of-four had spinal surgery in 2022 (Eamonn Holmes Instagram)Double hip replacement
Eamonn opened up about his "life-changing" hip replacement, which he had in 2016, after revealing he refused the surgery for three decades. Writing for The Telegraph, he said: "Waiting was the worst decision I ever made. After having both of mine replaced seven years ago, aged 55, I haven't had a single regret: in fact, it's been life-changing."
The major surgery was carried out in a bid to tackle the Northern Irishman's excruciating hip, leg and back pain he had secretly suffered for more than 20 years. Eamonn was speaking about the surgery after Oasis frontman, Liam Gallagher, said he didn't want to have the operation himself because he was concerned about the 'stigma'.
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However, rather than judging the Beady Eye star, Eamonn sympathised with Liam, saying: "In the newsroom, when we heard that he needed the operation due to arthritis, most of my colleagues laughed. They were all tickled by the idea of a rocker like him being confronted with being 'over the hill'– but I saw nothing remotely funny about it."
Eamonn went on to reveal how he'd suffered pre-surgery, saying people who don't experience severe hip, leg or back pain aren't aware of how chronic it is, or "the sleepless nights or not being able to drive, let alone do anything more physically active."
He's one of the most well-known faces on TVSpinal surgery for three slipped discs
In 2021, Eamonn told his followers: “Those of you who follow me on social media will know [that] about a month ago I did something to my back. I don’t know how I did it – getting into the car, getting out of a car, getting out of bed, whatever. I’ve got an MRI scan, but the trouble is, everything closes for Easter, I haven’t got it analysed yet, but what I do know is, I can’t sleep at night.”
Eamonn revealed the pain in his back intensified during the night, and urged sufferers of chronic pain to talk to each other and consult medical experts.
Eventually, the star discovered the cause of his pain was due to three slipped discs, which resulted in him needed spinal surgery in September 2022. However, after the operation, there was sadly more woe to come for Eamonn...
Broken shoulder after surgery
The veteran presenter admitted the spinal surgery he had in 2022 has set him back rather than improved his health as he returned to air on GB News show, Breakfast with Eamonn and Isabel, after taking several months off.
Looking thoroughly fed up, he told viewers: "Basically, I can't walk. I can do everything... everything above here [gesturing to his waist] works, but it's the legs. Co-host Isabel Webster said: "The op that you had has set you back, at the moment." Eamonn replied: "Yes, it's set me back and it made me fall down stairs. My leg gave way and I fell down 18 stairs. So I fell down the spiral staircase, smashed my right shoulder."
The husband of Loose Women's Ruth Langsford added: "The first thing you did was lean on my shoulder" to which Isabel laughed: "I won't be doing that again or you'll be off for another four months."
Eamonn said he was mocked for using a mobility scooter (instagram/ @eamonnholmes)Needing a mobility scooter
Eamonn occasionally relies on a mobility scooter. However, his new mode of transport has led to mixed reactions from the public on social media.
Speaking to Best magazine in September, he said: “Some people were mocking me on social media... ‘Oh, look at Eamonn, he’s in a mobility scooter!’ I replied, saying, ‘I would prefer if I wasn’t in it but how else would I have got around?’ The alternative is I don’t go anywhere, and I sit in my armchair, work in the office. So, I go out... It’s mentally uplifting to get out.”
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The star shared a snap of himself sitting on the vehicle, eating an ice cream while on holiday in the US. Sharing the photo in September, Eamonn wrote: "That was me on holiday last month in USA, getting around using my mobility scooter. 13 years since my spinal fusion.
Despite some cruel comments, the majority of Eamonn's followers wished him well as one said: "Hope you are keeping well Eamonn. Wishing you all the love. While another said: "Wow Eamonn, so sorry to see you having to use a mobility scooter. Hope that you can manage your pain soon."
'People think I'm fixed'
Addressing his eagerness to get out the house, Eamonn suggested some people believed he was already “fixed” because of how 'well' he looks on TV
He told Best: “Some people think I’m fixed but it just looks like that on TV... I like getting out,” he explained. “Going to the cinema is a terrible effort but worth it. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning was great.”
Despite describing himself as “humble” and “helpless but grateful” to receive help from others, the presenter also admitted it was "truly draining" to have to ask people to assist him. However, he did say: "The good news is the op last year cured me of my back pain... I lost full mobility. I’m doing everything I can to get better. But it’s slow.”
Last year, Eamonn admitted he felt "humiliated" when he was forced to cover the Queen's funeral on live television while on crutches, as he concluded: “I now accept life is easier with help from others. Getting around with crutches is exhausting. I wish I could walk further but, for now, I can’t.”
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